Reserved,shy,butfullofsignificance,ithidwhateveritmightholdbehindaveil,keepingittillthehourshouldcome,and,withthehour,thosewhowerecalledandchosen。
Slowly,butwithnodoubtorhesitationwhatever,andinsomethingofasolemnexpectancy,thetwoanimalspassedthroughthebrokentumultuouswaterandmooredtheirboatattheflowerymarginoftheisland。Insilencetheylanded,andpushedthroughtheblossomandscentedherbageandundergrowththatleduptothelevelground,tilltheystoodonalittlelawnofamarvellousgreen,setroundwithNature’sownorchard-trees——
crab-apple,wildcherry,andsloe。
`Thisistheplaceofmysong-dream,theplacethemusicplayedtome,’whisperedtheRat,asifinatrance。`Here,inthisholyplace,hereifanywhere,surelyweshallfindHim!’
ThensuddenlytheMolefeltagreatAwefalluponhim,anawethatturnedhismusclestowater,bowedhishead,androotedhisfeettotheground。Itwasnopanicterror——indeedhefeltwonderfullyatpeaceandhappy——butitwasanawethatsmoteandheldhimand,withoutseeing,heknewitcouldonlymeanthatsomeaugustPresencewasvery,verynear。Withdifficultyheturnedtolookforhisfriend。andsawhimathissidecowed,stricken,andtremblingviolently。Andstilltherewasuttersilenceinthepopulousbird-hauntedbranchesaroundthem;andstillthelightgrewandgrew。
Perhapshewouldneverhavedaredtoraisehiseyes,butthat,thoughthepipingwasnowhushed,thecallandthesummonsseemedstilldominantandimperious。Hemightnotrefuse,wereDeathhimselfwaitingtostrikehiminstantly,oncehehadlookedwithmortaleyeonthingsrightlykepthidden。Tremblingheobeyed,andraisedhishumblehead;andthen,inthatutterclearnessoftheimminentdawn,whileNature,flushedwithfulnessofincrediblecolour,seemedtoholdherbreathfortheevent,helookedintheveryeyesoftheFriendandHelper;sawthebackwardsweepofthecurvedhorns,gleaminginthegrowingdaylight;sawthestern,hookednosebetweenthekindlyeyesthatwerelookingdownonthemhumourously,whilethebeardedmouthbrokeintoahalf-smileatthecorners;sawtheripplingmusclesonthearmthatlayacrossthebroadchest,thelongsupplehandstillholdingthepan-pipesonlyjustfallenawayfromthepartedlips;sawthesplendidcurvesoftheshaggylimbsdisposedinmajesticeaseonthesward;saw,lastofall,nestlingbetweenhisveryhooves,sleepingsoundlyinentirepeaceandcontentment,thelittle,round,podgy,childishformofthebabyotter。Allthishesaw,foronemomentbreathlessandintense,vividonthemorningsky;andstill,ashelooked,helived;andstill,ashelived,hewondered。
`Rat!’hefoundbreathtowhisper,shaking。`Areyouafraid?’
`Afraid?’murmuredtheRat,hiseyesshiningwithunutterablelove。`Afraid!OfHIM?O,never,never!Andyet——andyet——
O,Mole,Iamafraid!’
Thenthetwoanimals,crouchingtotheearth,bowedtheirheadsanddidworship。
Suddenandmagnificent,thesun’sbroadgoldendiscshoweditselfoverthehorizonfacingthem;andthefirstrays,shootingacrossthelevelwater-meadows,tooktheanimalsfullintheeyesanddazzledthem。Whentheywereabletolookoncemore,theVisionhadvanished,andtheairwasfullofthecarolofbirdsthathailedthedawn。
Astheystaredblankly。indumbmiserydeepeningastheyslowlyrealisedalltheyhadseenandalltheyhadlost,acapriciouslittlebreeze,dancingupfromthesurfaceofthewater,tossedtheaspens,shookthedewyrosesandblewlightlyandcaressinglyintheirfaces;andwithitssofttouchcameinstantoblivion。Forthisisthelastbestgiftthatthekindlydemi-
godiscarefultobestowonthosetowhomhehasrevealedhimselfintheirhelping:thegiftofforgetfulness。Lesttheawfulremembranceshouldremainandgrow,andovershadowmirthandpleasure,andthegreathauntingmemoryshouldspoilalltheafter-livesoflittleanimalshelpedoutofdifficulties,inorderthattheyshouldbehappyandlightheartedasbefore。
MolerubbedhiseyesandstaredatRat,whowaslookingabouthiminapuzzledsortofway。`Ibegyourpardon;whatdidyousay,Rat?’heasked。
`IthinkIwasonlyremarking,’saidRatslowly,`thatthiswastherightsortofplace,andthathere,ifanywhere,weshouldfindhim。Andlook!Why,thereheis,thelittlefellow!’AndwithacryofdelightherantowardstheslumberingPortly。
ButMolestoodstillamoment,heldinthought。Asonewakenedsuddenlyfromabeautifuldream,whostrugglestorecallit,andcanre-capturenothingbutadimsenseofthebeautyofit,thebeauty!Tillthat,too,fadesawayinitsturn,andthedreamerbitterlyacceptsthehard,coldwakingandallitspenalties;soMole,afterstrugglingwithhismemoryforabriefspace,shookhisheadsadlyandfollowedtheRat。
Portlywokeupwithajoyoussqueak,andwriggledwithpleasureatthesightofhisfather’sfriends,whohadplayedwithhimsoofteninpastdays。Inamoment,however,hisfacegrewblank,andhefelltohuntingroundinacirclewithpleadingwhine。Asachildthathasfallenhappilyasleepinitsnurse’sarms,andwakestofinditselfaloneandlaidinastrangeplace,andsearchescornersandcupboards,andrunsfromroomtoroom,despairgrowingsilentlyinitsheart,evensoPortlysearchedtheislandandsearched,doggedandunwearying,tillatlasttheblackmomentcameforgivingitup,andsittingdownandcryingbitterly。
TheMoleranquicklytocomfortthelittleanimal;butRat,lingering,lookedlonganddoubtfullyatcertainhoof-marksdeepinthesward。
`Some——great——animal——hasbeenhere,’hemurmuredslowlyandthoughtfully;andstoodmusing,musing;hismindstrangelystirred。
`Comealong,Rat!’calledtheMole。`ThinkofpoorOtter,waitinguptherebytheford!’
Portlyhadsoonbeencomfortedbythepromiseofatreat——ajauntontheriverinMr。Rat’srealboat;andthetwoanimalsconductedhimtothewater’sside,placedhimsecurelybetweentheminthebottomoftheboat,andpaddledoffdownthebackwater。Thesunwasfullyupbynow,andhotonthem,birdssanglustilyandwithoutrestraint,andflowerssmiledandnoddedfromeitherbank,butsomehow——sothoughttheanimals——withlessofrichnessandblazeofcolourthantheyseemedtorememberseeingquiterecentlysomewhere——theywonderedwhere。
Themainriverreachedagain,theyturnedtheboat’sheadupstream,towardsthepointwheretheyknewtheirfriendwaskeepinghislonelyvigil。Astheydrewnearthefamiliarford,theMoletooktheboatintothebank,andtheyliftedPortlyoutandsethimonhislegsonthetow-path,gavehimhismarchingordersandafriendlyfarewellpatontheback,andshovedoutintomid-stream。Theywatchedthelittleanimalashewaddledalongthepathcontentedlyandwithimportance;watchedhimtilltheysawhismuzzlesuddenlyliftandhiswaddlebreakintoaclumsyambleashequickenedhispacewithshrillwhinesandwrigglesofrecognition。Lookinguptheriver,theycouldseeOtterstartup,tenseandrigid,fromoutoftheshallowswherehecrouchedindumbpatience,andcouldhearhisamazedandjoyousbarkasheboundedupthroughtheosiersontothepath。
ThentheMole,withastrongpullononeoar,swungtheboatroundandletthefullstreambearthemdownagainwhitheritwould,theirquestnowhappilyended。
`Ifeelstrangelytired,Rat,’saidtheMole,leaningwearilyoverhisoarsastheboatdrifted。`It’sbeingupallnight,you’llsay,perhaps;butthat’snothing。Wedoasmuchhalfthenightsoftheweek,atthistimeoftheyear。No;IfeelasifI
hadbeenthroughsomethingveryexcitingandratherterrible,anditwasjustover;andyetnothingparticularhashappened。’
`Orsomethingverysurprisingandsplendidandbeautiful,’
murmuredtheRat,leaningbackandclosinghiseyes。`Ifeeljustasyoudo,Mole;simplydeadtired,thoughnotbodytired。It’sluckywe’vegotthestreamwithus,totakeushome。Isn’titjollytofeelthesunagain,soakingintoone’sbones!Andharktothewindplayinginthereeds!’
`It’slikemusic——farawaymusic,’saidtheMolenoddingdrowsily。
`SoIwasthinking,’murmuredtheRat,dreamfulandlanguid。
`Dance-music——theliltingsortthatrunsonwithoutastop——butwithwordsinit,too——itpassesintowordsandoutofthemagain——Icatchthematintervals——thenitisdance-musiconcemore,andthennothingbutthereeds’softthinwhispering。’
`YouhearbetterthanI,’saidtheMolesadly。`Icannotcatchthewords。’
`Letmetryandgiveyouthem,’saidtheRatsoftly,hiseyesstillclosed。`Nowitisturningintowordsagain——faintbutclear——Lesttheaweshoulddwell——Andturnyourfrolictofret——Youshalllookonmypoweratthehelpinghour——Butthenyoushallforget!Nowthereedstakeitup——forget,forget,theysigh,anditdiesawayinarustleandawhisper。Thenthevoicereturns——
`Lestlimbsbereddenedandrent——Ispringthetrapthatisset——AsIloosethesnareyoumayglimpsemethere——Forsurelyyoushallforget!Rownearer,Mole,nearertothereeds!
Itishardtocatch,andgrowseachminutefainter。
`Helperandhealer,Icheer——Smallwaifsinthewoodlandwet——
StraysIfindinit,woundsIbindinit——Biddingthemallforget!Nearer,Mole,nearer!No,itisnogood;thesonghasdiedawayintoreed-talk。’
`Butwhatdothewordsmean?’askedthewonderingMole。
`ThatIdonotknow,’saidtheRatsimply。`Ipassedthemontoyouastheyreachedme。Ah!nowtheyreturnagain,andthistimefullandclear!Thistime,atlast,itisthereal,theunmistakablething,simple——passionate——perfect————’
`Well,let’shaveit,then,’saidtheMole,afterhehadwaitedpatientlyforafewminutes,half-dozinginthehotsun。
Butnoanswercame。Helooked,andunderstoodthesilence。Withasmileofmuchhappinessonhisface,andsomethingofalisteninglookstilllingeringthere,thewearyRatwasfastasleep。
VIII
TOAD’SADVENTURES
WhenToadfoundhimselfimmuredinadankandnoisomedungeon,andknewthatallthegrimdarknessofamedievalfortresslaybetweenhimandtheouterworldofsunshineandwell-metalledhighroadswherehehadlatelybeensohappy,disportinghimselfasifhehadboughtupeveryroadinEngland,heflunghimselfatfulllengthonthefloor,andshedbittertears,andabandonedhimselftodarkdespair。`Thisistheendofeverything’(hesaid),`atleastitistheendofthecareerofToad,whichisthesamething;thepopularandhandsomeToad,therichandhospitableToad,theToadsofreeandcarelessanddebonair!HowcanIhopetobeeversetatlargeagain’(hesaid),`whohavebeenimprisonedsojustlyforstealingsohandsomeamotor-carinsuchanaudaciousmanner,andforsuchluridandimaginativecheek,bestoweduponsuchanumberoffat,red-facedpolicemen!’(Herehissobschokedhim。)`StupidanimalthatI
was’(hesaid),`nowImustlanguishinthisdungeon,tillpeoplewhowereproudtosaytheyknewme,haveforgottentheverynameofToad!OwiseoldBadger!’(hesaid),`Oclever,intelligentRatandsensibleMole!Whatsoundjudgments,whataknowledgeofmenandmattersyoupossess!OunhappyandforsakenToad!’Withlamentationssuchasthesehepassedhisdaysandnightsforseveralweeks,refusinghismealsorintermediatelightrefreshments,thoughthegrimandancientgaoler,knowingthatToad’spocketswerewelllined,frequentlypointedoutthatmanycomforts,andindeedluxuries,couldbyarrangementbesentin——
ataprice——fromoutside。
Nowthegaolerhadadaughter,apleasantwenchandgood-hearted,whoassistedherfatherinthelighterdutiesofhispost。Shewasparticularlyfondofanimals,and,besideshercanary,whosecagehungonanailinthemassivewallofthekeepbyday,tothegreatannoyanceofprisonerswhorelishedanafterdinnernap,andwasshroudedinanantimacassarontheparlourtableatnight,shekeptseveralpiebaldmiceandarestlessrevolvingsquirrel。Thiskind-heartedgirl,pityingthemiseryofToad,saidtoherfatheroneday,`Father!Ican’tbeartoseethatpoorbeastsounhappy,andgettingsothin!Youletmehavethemanagingofhim。YouknowhowfondofanimalsIam。I’llmakehimeatfrommyhand,andsitup,anddoallsortsofthings。’
Herfatherrepliedthatshecoulddowhatshelikedwithhim。HewastiredofToad,andhissulksandhisairsandhismeanness。
Sothatdayshewentonhererrandofmercy,andknockedatthedoorofToad’scell。
`Now,cheerup,Toad,’shesaid,coaxingly,onentering,`andsitupanddryyoureyesandbeasensibleanimal。Anddotryandeatabitofdinner。See,I’vebroughtyousomeofmine,hotfromtheoven!’
Itwasbubble-and-squeak,betweentwoplates,anditsfragrancefilledthenarrowcell。ThepenetratingsmellofcabbagereachedthenoseofToadashelayprostrateinhismiseryonthefloor,andgavehimtheideaforamomentthatperhapslifewasnotsuchablankanddesperatethingashehadimagined。Butstillhewailed,andkickedwithhislegs,andrefusedtobecomforted。
Sothewisegirlretiredforthetime,but,ofcourse,agooddealofthesmellofhotcabbageremainedbehind,asitwilldo,andToad,betweenhissobs,sniffedandreflected,andgraduallybegantothinknewandinspiringthoughts:ofchivalry,andpoetry,anddeedsstilltobedone;ofbroadmeadows,andcattlebrowsinginthem,rakedbysunandwind;ofkitchen-gardens,andstraightherb-borders,andwarmsnap-dragonbesetbybees;andofthecomfortingclinkofdishessetdownonthetableatToadHall,andthescrapeofchair-legsontheflooraseveryonepulledhimselfcloseuptohiswork。Theairofthenarrowcelltookarosytinge;hebegantothinkofhisfriends,andhowtheywouldsurelybeabletodosomething;oflawyers,andhowtheywouldhaveenjoyedhiscase,andwhatanasshehadbeennottogetinafew;andlastly,hethoughtofhisowngreatclevernessandresource,andallthathewascapableofifheonlygavehisgreatmindtoit;andthecurewasalmostcomplete。
Whenthegirlreturned,somehourslater,shecarriedatray,withacupoffragrantteasteamingonit;andaplatepiledupwithveryhotbutteredtoast,cutthick,verybrownonbothsides,withthebutterrunningthroughtheholesinitingreatgoldendrops,likehoneyfromthehoneycomb。ThesmellofthatbutteredtoastsimplytalkedtoToad,andwithnouncertainvoice;talkedofwarmkitchens,ofbreakfastsonbrightfrostymornings,ofcosyparlourfiresidesonwinterevenings,whenone’sramblewasoverandslipperedfeetwereproppedonthefender;ofthepurringofcontentedcats,andthetwitterofsleepycanaries。Toadsatuponendoncemore,driedhiseyes,sippedhisteaandmunchedhistoast,andsoonbegantalkingfreelyabouthimself,andthehousehelivedin,andhisdoingsthere,andhowimportanthewas,andwhatalothisfriendsthoughtofhim。
Thegaoler’sdaughtersawthatthetopicwasdoinghimasmuchgoodasthetea,asindeeditwas,andencouragedhimtogoon。
`TellmeaboutToadHall,\"saidshe。`Itsoundsbeautiful。’
`ToadHall,’saidtheToadproudly,`isaneligibleself-
containedgentleman’sresidenceveryunique;datinginpartfromthefourteenthcentury,butrepletewitheverymodernconvenience。Up-to-datesanitation。Fiveminutesfromchurch,post-office,andgolf-links,Suitablefor————’
`Blesstheanimal,’saidthegirl,laughing,`Idon’twanttoTAKEit。TellmesomethingREALaboutit。ButfirstwaittillIfetchyousomemoreteaandtoast。’
Shetrippedaway,andpresentlyreturnedwithafreshtrayful;
andToad,pitchingintothetoastwithavidity,hisspiritsquiterestoredtotheirusuallevel,toldherabouttheboathouse,andthefish-pond,andtheoldwalledkitchen-garden;andaboutthepig-styes,andthestables,andthepigeon-house,andthehen-
house;andaboutthedairy,andthewash-house,andthechina-
cupboards,andthelinen-presses(shelikedthatbitespecially);
andaboutthebanqueting-hall,andthefuntheyhadtherewhentheotheranimalsweregatheredroundthetableandToadwasathisbest,singingsongs,tellingstories,carryingongenerally。
Thenshewantedtoknowabouthisanimal-friends,andwasveryinterestedinallhehadtotellheraboutthemandhowtheylived,andwhattheydidtopasstheirtime。Ofcourse,shedidnotsayshewasfondofanimalsasPETS,becauseshehadthesensetoseethatToadwouldbeextremelyoffended。Whenshesaidgoodnight,havingfilledhiswater-jugandshakenuphisstrawforhim,Toadwasverymuchthesamesanguine,self-
satisfiedanimalthathehadbeenofold。Hesangalittlesongortwo,ofthesortheusedtosingathisdinner-parties,curledhimselfupinthestraw,andhadanexcellentnight’srestandthepleasantestofdreams。
Theyhadmanyinterestingtalkstogether,afterthat,asthedrearydayswenton;andthegaoler’sdaughtergrewverysorryforToad,andthoughtitagreatshamethatapoorlittleanimalshouldbelockedupinprisonforwhatseemedtoheraverytrivialoffence。Toad,ofcourse,inhisvanity,thoughtthatherinterestinhimproceededfromagrowingtenderness;andhecouldnothelphalf-regrettingthatthesocialgulfbetweenthemwassoverywide,forshewasacomelylass,andevidentlyadmiredhimverymuch。
Onemorningthegirlwasverythoughtful,andansweredatrandom,anddidnotseemtoToadtobepayingproperattentiontohiswittysayingsandsparklingcomments。
`Toad,’shesaidpresently,`justlisten,please。Ihaveanauntwhoisawasherwoman。’
`There,there,’saidToad,graciouslyandaffably,`nevermind;
thinknomoreaboutit。_I_haveseveralauntswhoOUGHTtobewasherwomen。’
`Dobequietaminute,Toad,’saidthegirl。`Youtalktoomuch,that’syourchieffault,andI’mtryingtothink,andyouhurtmyhead。AsIsaid,Ihaveanauntwhoisawasherwoman;shedoesthewashingforalltheprisonersinthiscastle——wetrytokeepanypayingbusinessofthatsortinthefamily,youunderstand。
ShetakesoutthewashingonMondaymorning,andbringsitinonFridayevening。ThisisaThursday。Now,thisiswhatoccurstome:you’reveryrich——atleastyou’realwaystellingmeso——andshe’sverypoor。Afewpoundswouldn’tmakeanydifferencetoyou,anditwouldmeanalottoher。Now,Ithinkifshewereproperlyapproached——squared,Ibelieveisthewordyouanimalsuse——youcouldcometosomearrangementbywhichshewouldletyouhaveherdressandbonnetandsoon,andyoucouldescapefromthecastleastheofficialwasherwoman。You’reveryalikeinmanyrespects——particularlyaboutthefigure。’
`We’reNOT,’saidtheToadinahuff。`Ihaveaveryelegantfigure——forwhatIam。’
`Sohasmyaunt,’repliedthegirl,`forwhatSHEis。Buthaveityourownway。Youhorrid,proud,ungratefulanimal,whenI’msorryforyou,andtryingtohelpyou!’
`Yes,yes,that’sallright;thankyouverymuchindeed,’saidtheToadhurriedly。`Butlookhere!youwouldn’tsurelyhaveMr。
ToadofToadHall,goingaboutthecountrydisguisedasawasherwoman!’
`ThenyoucanstophereasaToad,’repliedthegirlwithmuchspirit。`Isupposeyouwanttogooffinacoach-and-four!’
HonestToadwasalwaysreadytoadmithimselfinthewrong。`Youareagood,kind,clevergirl,’hesaid,`andIamindeedaproudandastupidtoad。Introducemetoyourworthyaunt,ifyouwillbesokind,andIhavenodoubtthattheexcellentladyandI
willbeabletoarrangetermssatisfactorytobothparties。’
NexteveningthegirlusheredherauntintoToad’scell,bearinghisweek’swashingpinnedupinatowel。Theoldladyhadbeenpreparedbeforehandfortheinterview,andthesightofcertaingoldsovereignsthatToadhadthoughtfullyplacedonthetableinfullviewpracticallycompletedthematterandleftlittlefurthertodiscuss。Inreturnforhiscash,Toadreceivedacottonprintgown,anapron,ashawl,andarustyblackbonnet;
theonlystipulationtheoldladymadebeingthatsheshouldbegaggedandboundanddumpeddowninacorner。Bythisnotveryconvincingartifice,sheexplained,aidedbypicturesquefictionwhichshecouldsupplyherself,shehopedtoretainhersituation,inspiteofthesuspiciousappearanceofthings。
Toadwasdelightedwiththesuggestion。Itwouldenablehimtoleavetheprisoninsomestyle,andwithhisreputationforbeingadesperateanddangerousfellowuntarnished;andhereadilyhelpedthegaoler’sdaughtertomakeherauntappearasmuchaspossiblethevictimofcircumstancesoverwhichshehadnocontrol。
`Nowit’syourturn,Toad,’saidthegirl。`Takeoffthatcoatandwaistcoatofyours;you’refatenoughasitis。’
Shakingwithlaughter,sheproceededto`hook-and-eye’himintothecottonprintgown,arrangedtheshawlwithaprofessionalfold,andtiedthestringsoftherustybonnetunderhischin。
`You’retheveryimageofher,’shegiggled,`onlyI’msureyouneverlookedhalfsorespectableinallyourlifebefore。Now,good-bye,Toad,andgoodluck。Gostraightdownthewayyoucameup;andifanyonesaysanythingtoyou,astheyprobablywill,beingbutmen,youcanchaffbackabit,ofcourse,butrememberyou’reawidowwoman,quitealoneintheworld,withacharactertolose。’
Withaquakingheart,butasfirmafootstepashecouldcommand,Toadsetforthcautiouslyonwhatseemedtobeamosthare-
brainedandhazardousundertaking;buthewassoonagreeablysurprisedtofindhoweasyeverythingwasmadeforhim,andalittlehumbledatthethoughtthatbothhispopularity,andthesexthatseemedtoinspireit,werereallyanother’s。Thewasherwoman’ssquatfigureinitsfamiliarcottonprintseemedapassportforeverybarreddoorandgrimgateway;evenwhenhehesitated,uncertainastotherightturningtotake,hefoundhimselfhelpedoutofhisdifficultybythewarderatthenextgate,anxioustobeofftohistea,summoninghimtocomealongsharpandnotkeephimwaitingthereallnight。Thechaffandthehumouroussalliestowhichhewassubjected,andtowhich,ofcourse,hehadtoprovidepromptandeffectivereply,formed,indeed,hischiefdanger;forToadwasananimalwithastrongsenseofhisowndignity,andthechaffwasmostly(hethought)poorandclumsy,andthehumourofthesalliesentirelylacking。However,hekepthistemper,thoughwithgreatdifficulty,suitedhisretortstohiscompanyandhissupposedcharacter,anddidhisbestnottooverstepthelimitsofgoodtaste。
Itseemedhoursbeforehecrossedthelastcourtyard,rejectedthepressinginvitationsfromthelastguardroom,anddodgedtheoutspreadarmsofthelastwarder,pleadingwithsimulatedpassionforjustonefarewellembrace。Butatlastheheardthewicket-gateinthegreatouterdoorclickbehindhim,feltthefreshairoftheouterworlduponhisanxiousbrow,andknewthathewasfree!
Dizzywiththeeasysuccessofhisdaringexploit,hewalkedquicklytowardsthelightsofthetown,notknowingintheleastwhatheshoulddonext,onlyquitecertainofonething,thathemustremovehimselfasquicklyaspossiblefromtheneighbourhoodwheretheladyhewasforcedtorepresentwassowell-knownandsopopularacharacter。
Ashewalkedalong,considering,hisattentionwascaughtbysomeredandgreenlightsalittlewayoff,toonesideofthetown,andthesoundofthepuffingandsnortingofenginesandthebangingofshuntedtrucksfellonhisear。`Aha!’hethought,`thisisapieceofluck!ArailwaystationisthethingIwantmostinthewholeworldatthismoment;andwhat’smore,I
needn’tgothroughthetowntogetit,andshan’thavetosupportthishumiliatingcharacterbyreparteeswhich,thoughthoroughlyeffective,donotassistone’ssenseofself-respect。’
Hemadehiswaytothestationaccordingly,consultedatime-
table,andfoundthatatrain,boundmoreorlessinthedirectionofhishome,wasduetostartinhalf-an-hour。`Moreluck!’saidToad,hisspiritsrisingrapidly,andwentofftothebooking-officetobuyhisticket。
HegavethenameofthestationthatheknewtobenearesttothevillageofwhichToadHallwastheprincipalfeature,andmechanicallyputhisfingers,insearchofthenecessarymoney,wherehiswaiscoatpocketshouldhavebeen。Butherethecottongown,whichhadnoblystoodbyhimsofar,andwhichhehadbaselyforgotten,intervened,andfrustratedhisefforts。Inasortofnightmarehestruggledwiththestrangeuncannythingthatseemedtoholdhishands,turnallmuscularstrivingstowater,andlaughathimallthetime;whileothertravellers,formingupinalinebehind,waitedwithimpatience,makingsuggestionsofmoreorlessvalueandcommentsofmoreorlessstringencyandpoint。Atlast——somehow——heneverrightlyunderstoodhow——heburstthebarriers,attainedthegoal,arrivedatwhereallwaistcoatpocketsareeternallysituated,andfound——notonlynomoney,butnopockettoholdit,andnowaistcoattoholdthepocket!
Tohishorrorherecollectedthathehadleftbothcoatandwaistcoatbehindhiminhiscell,andwiththemhispocket-book,money,keys,watch,matches,pencil-case——allthatmakeslifeworthliving,allthatdistinguishesthemany-pocketedanimal,thelordofcreation,fromtheinferiorone-pocketedorno-pocketedproductionsthathoportripaboutpermissively,unequippedfortherealcontest。
Inhismiseryhemadeonedesperateefforttocarrythethingoff,and,withareturntohisfineoldmanner——ablendoftheSquireandtheCollegeDon——hesaid,`Lookhere!IfindI’veleftmypursebehind。Justgivemethatticket,willyou,andI’llsendthemoneyonto-morrow?I’mwell-knownintheseparts。’
Theclerkstaredathimandtherustyblackbonnetamoment,andthenlaughed。`Ishouldthinkyouwereprettywellknownintheseparts,’hesaid,`ifyou’vetriedthisgameonoften。
Here,standawayfromthewindow,please,madam;you’reobstructingtheotherpassengers!’
Anoldgentlemanwhohadbeenproddinghiminthebackforsomemomentsherethrusthimaway,and,whatwasworse,addressedhimashisgoodwoman,whichangeredToadmorethananythingthathadoccurredthatevening。
Baffledandfullofdespair,hewanderedblindlydowntheplatformwherethetrainwasstanding,andtearstrickleddowneachsideofhisnose。Itwashard,hethought,tobewithinsightofsafetyandalmostofhome,andtobebaulkedbythewantofafewwretchedshillingsandbythepettifoggingmistrustfulnessofpaidofficials。Verysoonhisescapewouldbediscovered,thehuntwouldbeup,hewouldbecaught,reviled,loadedwithchains,draggedbackagaintoprisonandbread-and-
waterandstraw;hisguardsandpenalitieswouldbedoubled;andO,whatsarcasticremarksthegirlwouldmake!Whatwastobedone?Hewasnotswiftoffoot;hisfigurewasunfortunatelyrecognisable。Couldhenotsqueezeundertheseatofacarriage?
Hehadseenthismethodadoptedbyschoolboys,whenthejourney-
moneyprovidedbythoughtfulparentshadbeendivertedtootherandbetterends。Ashepondered,hefoundhimselfoppositetheengine,whichwasbeingoiled,wiped,andgenerallycaressedbyitsaffectionatedriver,aburlymanwithanoil-caninonehandandalumpofcotton-wasteintheother。
`Hullo,mother!’saidtheengine-driver,`what’sthetrouble?
Youdon’tlookparticularlycheerful。’
`O,sir!’saidToad,cryingafresh,`Iamapoorunhappywasherwoman,andI’velostallmymoney,andcan’tpayforaticket,andImustgethometo-nightsomehow,andwhateverIamtodoIdon’tknow。Odear,Odear!’
`That’sabadbusiness,indeed,’saidtheengine-driverreflectively。`Lostyourmoney——andcan’tgethome——andgotsomekids,too,waitingforyou,Idaresay?’
`Anyamountof’em,’sobbedToad。`Andthey’llbehungry——andplayingwithmatches——andupsettinglamps,thelittleinnocents!——andquarrelling,andgoingongenerally。Odear,O
dear!’
`Well,I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo,’saidthegoodengine-driver。
`You’reawasherwomantoyourtrade,saysyou。Verywell,that’sthat。AndI’manengine-driver,asyouwellmaysee,andthere’snodenyingit’sterriblydirtywork。Usesupapowerofshirts,itdoes,tillmymissusisfairtiredofwashingof’em。Ifyou’llwashafewshirtsformewhenyougethome,andsend’emalong,I’llgiveyouarideonmyengine。It’sagainsttheCompany’sregulations,butwe’renotsoveryparticularintheseout-of-the-wayparts。’
TheToad’smiseryturnedintoraptureasheeagerlyscrambledupintothecaboftheengine。Ofcourse,hehadneverwashedashirtinhislife,andcouldn’tifhetriedand,anyhow,hewasn’tgoingtobegin;buthethought:`WhenIgetsafelyhometoToadHall,andhavemoneyagain,andpocketstoputitin,I
willsendtheengine-driverenoughtopayforquiteaquantityofwashing,andthatwillbethesamething,orbetter。’
Theguardwavedhiswelcomeflag,theengine-driverwhistledincheerfulresponse,andthetrainmovedoutofthestation。Asthespeedincreased,andtheToadcouldseeoneithersideofhimrealfields,andtrees,andhedges,andcows,andhorses,allflyingpasthim,andashethoughthoweveryminutewasbringinghimnearertoToadHall,andsympatheticfriends,andmoneytochinkinhispocket,andasoftbedtosleepin,andgoodthingstoeat,andpraiseandadmirationattherecitalofhisadventuresandhissurpassingcleverness,hebegantoskipupanddownandshoutandsingsnatchesofsong,tothegreatastonishmentoftheengine-driver,whohadcomeacrosswasherwomenbefore,atlongintervals,butneveroneatalllikethis。
Theyhadcoveredmanyandmanyamile,andToadwasalreadyconsideringwhathewouldhaveforsupperassoonashegothome,whenhenoticedthattheengine-driver,withapuzzledexpressiononhisface,wasleaningoverthesideoftheengineandlisteninghard。Thenhesawhimclimbontothecoalsandgazeoutoverthetopofthetrain;thenhereturnedandsaidtoToad:
`It’sverystrange;we’rethelasttrainrunninginthisdirectionto-night,yetIcouldbeswornthatIheardanotherfollowingus!’
Toadceasedhisfrivolousanticsatonce。Hebecamegraveanddepressed,andadullpaininthelowerpartofhisspine,communicatingitselftohislegs,madehimwanttositdownandtrydesperatelynottothinkofallthepossibilities。
Bythistimethemoonwasshiningbrightly,andtheengine-
driver,steadyinghimselfonthecoal,couldcommandaviewofthelinebehindthemforalongdistance。
Presentlyhecalledout,`Icanseeitclearlynow!Itisanengine,onourrails,comingalongatagreatpace!Itlooksasifwewerebeingpursued!’
ThemiserableToad,crouchinginthecoal-dust,triedhardtothinkofsomethingtodo,withdismalwantofsuccess。
`Theyaregainingonusfast!’criedtheengine-driver。Andtheengineiscrowdedwiththequeerestlotofpeople!Menlikeancientwarders,wavinghalberds;policemenintheirhelmets,wavingtruncheons;andshabbilydressedmeninpot-hats,obviousandunmistakableplain-clothesdetectivesevenatthisdistance,wavingrevolversandwalking-sticks;allwaving,andallshoutingthesamething——\"Stop,stop,stop!\"’
ThenToadfellonhiskneesamongthecoalsand,raisinghisclaspedpawsinsupplication,cried,`Saveme,onlysaveme,dearkindMr。Engine-driver,andIwillconfesseverything!IamnotthesimplewasherwomanIseemtobe!Ihavenochildrenwaitingforme,innocentorotherwise!Iamatoad——thewell-knownandpopularMr。Toad,alandedproprietor;Ihavejustescaped,bymygreatdaringandcleverness,fromaloathsomedungeonintowhichmyenemieshadflungme;andifthosefellowsonthatenginerecaptureme,itwillbechainsandbread-and-waterandstrawandmiseryoncemoreforpoor,unhappy,innocentToad!’
Theengine-driverlookeddownuponhimverysternly,andsaid,`Nowtellthetruth;whatwereyouputinprisonfor?’
`Itwasnothingverymuch,’saidpoorToad,colouringdeeply。`I
onlyborrowedamotorcarwhiletheownerswereatlunch;theyhadnoneedofitatthetime。Ididn’tmeantostealit,really;
butpeople——especiallymagistrates——takesuchharshviewsofthoughtlessandhigh-spiritedactions。’
Theengine-driverlookedverygraveandsaid,`Ifearthatyouhavebeenindeedawickedtoad,andbyrightsIoughttogiveyouuptooffendedjustice。Butyouareevidentlyinsoretroubleanddistress,soIwillnotdesertyou。Idon’tholdwithmotor-
cars,foronething;andIdon’tholdwithbeingorderedaboutbypolicemenwhenI’monmyownengine,foranother。Andthesightofananimalintearsalwaysmakesmefeelqueerandsofthearted。
Socheerup,Toad!I’lldomybest,andwemaybeatthemyet!’
Theypiledonmorecoals,shovellingfuriously;thefurnaceroared,thesparksflew,theengineleaptandswungbutstilltheirpursuersslowlygained。Theengine-driver,withasigh,wipedhisbrowwithahandfulofcotton-waste,andsaid,`I’mafraidit’snogood,Toad。Yousee,theyarerunninglight,andtheyhavethebetterengine。There’sjustonethingleftforustodo,andit’syouronlychance,soattendverycarefullytowhatItellyou。Ashortwayaheadofusisalongtunnel,andontheothersideofthatthelinepassesthroughathickwood。
Now,IwillputonallthespeedIcanwhilewearerunningthroughthetunnel,buttheotherfellowswillslowdownabit,naturally,forfearofanaccident。Whenwearethrough,IwillshutoffsteamandputonbrakesashardasIcan,andthemomentit’ssafetodosoyoumustjumpandhideinthewood,beforetheygetthroughthetunnelandseeyou。ThenIwillgofullspeedaheadagain,andtheycanchasemeiftheylike,foraslongastheylike,andasfarastheylike。NowmindandbereadytojumpwhenItellyou!’
Theypiledonmorecoals,andthetrainshotintothetunnel,andtheenginerushedandroaredandrattled,tillatlasttheyshotoutattheotherendintofreshairandthepeacefulmoonlight,andsawthewoodlyingdarkandhelpfuluponeithersideoftheline。Thedrivershutoffsteamandputonbrakes,theToadgotdownonthestep,andasthetrainsloweddowntoalmostawalkingpaceheheardthedrivercallout,`Now,jump!’
Toadjumped,rolleddownashortembankment,pickedhimselfupunhurt,scrambledintothewoodandhid。
Peepingout,hesawhistraingetupspeedagainanddisappearatagreatpace。Thenoutofthetunnelburstthepursuingengine,roaringandwhistling,hermotleycrewwavingtheirvariousweaponsandshouting,`Stop!stop!stop!’Whentheywerepast,theToadhadaheartylaugh——forthefirsttimesincehewasthrownintoprison。
Buthesoonstoppedlaughingwhenhecametoconsiderthatitwasnowverylateanddarkandcold,andhewasinanunknownwood,withnomoneyandnochanceofsupper,andstillfarfromfriendsandhome;andthedeadsilenceofeverything,aftertheroarandrattleofthetrain,wassomethingofashock。Hedarednotleavetheshelterofthetrees,sohestruckintothewood,withtheideaofleavingtherailwayasfaraspossiblebehindhim。
Aftersomanyweekswithinwalls,hefoundthewoodstrangeandunfriendlyandinclined,hethought,tomakefunofhim。
Night-jars,soundingtheirmechanicalrattle,madehimthinkthatthewoodwasfullofsearchingwarders,closinginonhim。Anowl,swoopingnoiselesslytowardshim,brushedhisshoulderwithitswing,makinghimjumpwiththehorridcertaintythatitwasahand;thenflittedoff,moth-like,laughingitslowho!ho!ho;
whichToadthoughtinverypoortaste。Oncehemetafox,whostopped,lookedhimupanddowninasarcasticsortofway,andsaid,`Hullo,washerwoman!Halfapairofsocksandapillow-
caseshortthisweek!Minditdoesn’toccuragain!’andswaggeredoff,sniggering。Toadlookedaboutforastonetothrowathim,butcouldnotsucceedinfindingone,whichvexedhimmorethananything。Atlast,cold,hungry,andtiredout,hesoughttheshelterofahollowtree,wherewithbranchesanddeadleaveshemadehimselfascomfortableabedashecould,andsleptsoundlytillthemorning。
IX
WAYFARERSALL
TheWaterRatwasrestless,andhedidnotexactlyknowwhy。Toallappearancethesummer’spompwasstillatfullestheight,andalthoughinthetilledacresgreenhadgivenwaytogold,thoughrowanswerereddening,andthewoodsweredashedhereandtherewithatawnyfierceness,yetlightandwarmthandcolourwerestillpresentinundiminishedmeasure,cleanofanychillypremonitionsofthepassingyear。Buttheconstantchorusoftheorchardsandhedgeshadshrunktoacasualevensongfromafewyetunweariedperformers;therobinwasbeginningtoasserthimselfoncemore;andtherewasafeelingintheairofchangeanddeparture。Thecuckoo,ofcourse,hadlongbeensilent;butmanyanotherfeatheredfriend,formonthsapartofthefamiliarlandscapeanditssmallsociety,wasmissingtooanditseemedthattheranksthinnedsteadilydaybyday。Rat,everobservantofallwingedmovement,sawthatitwastakingdailyasouthingtendency;andevenashelayinbedatnighthethoughthecouldmakeout,passinginthedarknessoverhead,thebeatandquiverofimpatientpinions,obedienttotheperemptorycall。
Nature’sGrandHotelhasitsSeason,liketheothers。Astheguestsonebyonepack,pay,anddepart,andtheseatsatthetable-d’hoteshrinkpitifullyateachsucceedingmeal;assuitesofroomsareclosed,carpetstakenup,andwaiterssentaway;thoseboarderswhoarestayingon,enpension,untilthenextyear’sfullre-opening,cannothelpbeingsomewhataffectedbyalltheseflittingsandfarewells,thiseagerdiscussionofplans,routes,andfreshquarters,thisdailyshrinkageinthestreamofcomradeship。Onegetsunsettled,depressed,andinclinedtobequerulous。Whythiscravingforchange?Whynotstayonquietlyhere,likeus,andbejolly?Youdon’tknowthishoteloutoftheseason,andwhatfunwehaveamongourselves,wefellowswhoremainandseethewholeinterestingyearout。Allverytrue,nodoubttheothersalwaysreply;wequiteenvyyou——andsomeotheryearperhaps——butjustnowwehaveengagements——andthere’sthebusatthedoor——ourtimeisup!Sotheydepart,withasmileandanod,andwemissthem,andfeelresentful。TheRatwasaself-sufficingsortofanimal,rootedtotheland,and,whoeverwent,hestayed;still,hecouldnothelpnoticingwhatwasintheair,andfeelingsomeofitsinfluenceinhisbones。
Itwasdifficulttosettledowntoanythingseriously,withallthisflittinggoingon。Leavingthewater-side,whererushesstoodthickandtallinastreamthatwasbecomingsluggishandlow,hewanderedcountry-wards,crossedafieldortwoofpasturagealreadylookingdustyandparched,andthrustintothegreatseaofwheat,yellow,wavy,andmurmurous,fullofquietmotionandsmallwhisperings。Hereheoftenlovedtowander,throughtheforestofstiffstrongstalksthatcarriedtheirowngoldenskyawayoverhishead——askythatwasalwaysdancing,shimmering,softlytalking;orswayingstronglytothepassingwindandrecoveringitselfwithatossandamerrylaugh。Here,too,hehadmanysmallfriends,asocietycompleteinitself,leadingfullandbusylives,butalwayswithasparemomenttogossip,andexchangenewswithavisitor。Today,however,thoughtheywerecivilenough,thefield-miceandharvest-miceseemedpreoccupied。Manywerediggingandtunnellingbusily;others,gatheredtogetherinsmallgroups,examinedplansanddrawingsofsmallflats,statedtobedesirableandcompact,andsituatedconvenientlyneartheStores。
Somewerehaulingoutdustytrunksanddress-baskets,otherswerealreadyelbow-deeppackingtheirbelongings;whileeverywherepilesandbundlesofwheat,oats,barley,beech-mastandnuts,layaboutreadyfortransport。
`Here’soldRatty!’theycriedassoonastheysawhim。`Comeandbearahand,Rat,anddon’tstandaboutidle!’
`Whatsortofgamesareyouupto?’saidtheWaterRatseverely。
`Youknowitisn’ttimetobethinkingofwinterquartersyet,byalongway!’
`Oyes,weknowthat,’explainedafield-mouserathershamefacedly;`butit’salwaysaswelltobeingoodtime,isn’tit?WereallyMUSTgetallthefurnitureandbaggageandstoresmovedoutofthisbeforethosehorridmachinesbeginclickingroundthefields;andthen,youknow,thebestflatsgetpickedupsoquicklynowadays,andifyou’relateyouhavetoputupwithANYTHING;andtheywantsuchalotofdoingup,too,beforethey’refittomoveinto。Ofcourse,we’reearly,weknowthat;butwe’reonlyjustmakingastart。’
`O,botherSTARTS,’saidtheRat。`It’sasplendidday。Comeforarow,orastrollalongthehedges,orapicnicinthewoods,orsomething。’
`Well,ITHINKnotTO-DAY,thankyou,’repliedthefield-
mousehurriedly。`PerhapssomeOTHERday——whenwe’vemoreTIME————’
TheRat,withasnortofcontempt,swungroundtogo,trippedoverahat-box,andfell,withundignifiedremarks。
`Ifpeoplewouldbemorecareful,’saidafield-mouseratherstiffly,`andlookwherethey’regoing,peoplewouldn’thurtthemselves——andforgetthemselves。Mindthathold-all,Rat!
You’dbettersitdownsomewhere。Inanhourortwowemaybemorefreetoattendtoyou。’
`Youwon’tbe\"free\"asyoucallitmuchthissideofChristmas,Icanseethat,’retortedtheRatgrumpily,ashepickedhiswayoutofthefield。
Hereturnedsomewhatdespondentlytohisriveragain——hisfaithful,steady-goingoldriver,whichneverpackedup,flitted,orwentintowinterquarters。
Intheosierswhichfringedthebankhespiedaswallowsitting。
Presentlyitwasjoinedbyanother,andthenbyathird;andthebirds,fidgetingrestlesslyontheirbough,talkedtogetherearnestlyandlow。
`What,ALREADY,’saidtheRat,strollinguptothem。`What’sthehurry?Icallitsimplyridiculous。’
`O,we’renotoffyet,ifthat’swhatyoumean,’repliedthefirstswallow。`We’reonlymakingplansandarrangingthings。